Argyranthemum plant named &#39;ohmadsant&#39;

ABSTRACT

A new and distinct cultivar of  Argyranthemum  plant named ‘OHMADSANT’ characterized by its semi-double inflorescence form with red/purple-colored ray florets and orange/red-colored disc florets, freely branching character, dark green-colored foliage, and compact and upright growth habit.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a new and distinct cultivar of Argyranthemum plant botanically known as Argyranthemum×hybrida, and hereinafter referred to by the cultivar name ‘OHMADSANT’.

The new Argyranthemum originated in a controlled breeding program in Winmalee, New South Wales, Australia during 2001. The objective of the breeding program was the development of Argyranthemum cultivars that are freely branching, have a compact and upright growth habit, are freely flowering, and have unique flower coloration.

The female parent of the new cultivar was ‘Suparosa’, U.S. Plant Pat. No. 13,775, which exhibits red purple-colored flowers, medium green-colored foliage, and compact growth habit. The male parent of the new cultivar was ‘Supalight’, U.S. Plant Pat. No. 14,128, which exhibits red purple-colored flowers, dark green-colored foliage, and compact growth habit. Seed from the above stated cross was germinated and grown to maturity. One plant within the progeny was discovered and selected by the inventor during June 2002 in a controlled environment at Winmalee, New South Wales, Australia.

Asexual reproduction of the new cultivar by terminal stem cuttings since June 2002 at Winmalee, New South Wales, Australia and West Chicago, Ill. has demonstrated that the new cultivar reproduces true to type with all the characteristics, as herein described, firmly fixed and retained through successive generations of such asexual propagation.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The following characteristics of the new cultivar have been repeatedly observed and can be used to distinguish ‘OHMADSANT’ as a new and distinct cultivar of Argyranthemum plant:

-   -   1. Single inflorescence form with red/purple-colored ray florets         and orange/red-colored disc florets.     -   2. Dark green-colored foliage.     -   3. Freely branching character.     -   4. Compact and upright growth habit.

Plants of the new cultivar differ from plants of the female parent primarily in flower color and from the male parent primarily in flower color.

Plants of the new cultivar are similar to the cultivar OHAR01240, U.S. Plant patent application No. 10/741,780. However, in side-by-side comparisons, carried out at West Chicago Ill., plants of the new cultivar differed from plants of ‘OHAR01240’ in the following characteristics:

1. Plants of the new cultivar have smaller, thinner leaves than plants of ‘OHAR01240”.

2. Plants of the new cultivar have smaller inflorescences than plants of ‘OHAR01240’.

3. Plants of the new cultivar have darker-colored ray florets than plants of ‘OHAR01240’.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE PHOTOGRAPHS

The accompanying photographs show, as nearly true as it is reasonably possible to make the same in color illustrations of this type, typical flower and foliage characteristics of the new cultivar. Colors in the photographs differ slightly from the color values cited in the detailed description, which more accurately describe the colors of the new cultivar. The plants were grown in 10 cm pots for 13 weeks in a greenhouse at West Chicago, Ill.

FIG. 1 illustrates a side view of the overall growth and flowering habit of the new cultivar with one plant per pot.

FIG. 2 illustrates a close-up view of individual flowers of the new cultivar showing the change in color as the disc and ray florets mature.

DETAILED BOTANICAL DESCRIPTION

The new cultivar has not been observed under all possible environmental conditions to date. Accordingly, it is possible that the phenotype may vary somewhat with variations in the environment, such as temperature, light intensity, and day length without, however, any variance in genotype

The chart used in the identification of colors described herein is the R.H.S. Colour Chart of The Royal Horticultural Society, London, England, 2001 edition, except where color terms of ordinary significance are used. The color values were determined on Sep. 22, 2004 between 1:00 and 3:00 p.m. under natural light conditions.

The following descriptions and measurements describe plants produced from cuttings from stock plants and grown at West Chicago, Ill. in a double polycarbonate-covered greenhouse under conditions comparable to those used in commercial practice. The plants were grown in 10 cm pots for 13 weeks while utilizing a soilless growth medium. Greenhouse temperatures were maintained at approximately 65°-78° F. (18°-25° C.) during the day and approximately 50°-60° F. (10°-15° C.) during the night. Greenhouse light levels were maintained at 6,000 to 9,000 footcandles during the day.

-   Botanical classification: Argyranthemum×hybrida cultivar OHMADSANT. -   Parentage:     -   -   Maleparent.—‘Supalight’, U.S. Plant Pat. No. 14,128.         -   Female parent.—‘Suparosa’, U.S. Plant Pat. No. 13,775. -   Propagation:     -   -   Type cutting.—Terminal stem.         -   Time to initiate roots.—Approximately 6 to 8 days.         -   Time to produce a rooted cutting.—Approximately 21 to 28             days.         -   Root description.—Fibrous.         -   Rooting habit.—Freely branching. -   Plant description:     -   -   Crop time.—Approximately 6 to 9 weeks from a rooted cutting             in a 10 cm pot.         -   Growth habit.—Compact, freely branching. One or two pinches             improve basal branching.         -   Form.—Upright, mounded.         -   Size.—Height: Approximately 31.6 cm from soil level to top             of plant plane. Width (area of spread) — Approximately 33.7             cm.         -   Branch.—Quantity per plant: Approximately 8. Strength:             Strong. Length from soil level to base of peduncle:             Approximately 19 cm. Diameter: Approximately 3.2 mm.             Texture: Glabrous. Color: 145A. Internode length at middle             of branch: Approximately 6.6 mm.         -   Foliage.—Quantity of leaves per branch: Approximately 25.             Fragrance: Slight. Type: Simple. Arrangement: Alternate.             Aspect: At an acute angle to the stem. Shape: Pinnatified.             Apex: Acute. Base: Attenuate, decurrent. Margin: Entire.             Venation pattern: Pinnate. Length: Approximately 5.3 cm.             Width: Approximately 4.4 cm. Texture: Upper and lower             surfaces are glabrous. Color of mature foliage: Upper             surface: Darker than 146A with venation of 144B. Lower             surface: 146A with venation of 144B. -   Flowering description:     -   -   Flowering habit.—Freely flowering under outdoor growing             conditions with substantially continuous blooming from             spring through autumn and year round in greenhouse             environment. -   Inflorescence description:     -   -   Appearance.—Single composite form. Persistent. Fragrance:             None. Shape: Round. Aspect: Facing upward or outward. Disc             and ray florets develop acropetally on a capitulum.         -   Quantity of flowers and buds per lateral             branch.—Approximately 6 flowers and 4 buds.         -   Size.—Diameter: Approximately 3.3 cm. Depth: Approximately             8.8 mm.         -   Lastingness of inflorescence.—Approximately 7-10 days.         -   Bud.—Rate of opening: Generally it takes 3-6 days for buds             to progress from first color to fully open flowers. Shape:             Ovoid. Diameter: Approximately 6.4 mm. Depth: Approximately             5.1 mm. Color: 59B.         -   Ray florets.—Quantity per inflorescence: Approximately 13,             arranged in a single whorl. Aspect: Flat to slightly             concave. Arrangement: Very slightly overlapping. Shape:             Ligulate. Margin: Entire. Apex: Emarginate. Base: Attenuate             and fused to form tube. Length: Approximately 1.1 cm. Width:             Approximately 4.3 mm. Texture: Glabrous and ribbed. Color of             ray florets when first open: Upper surface: Closest to 61 B.             Lower surface: 60C with ribs of 60B. Color of mature ray             floret: Upper surface: 70D at apex, 60C at base. Lower             surface: 186B. Ray floret color fades to 185D with age.         -   Disc.—Diameter: Approximately 1.1 cm. Depth: Approximately 6             mm.         -   Receptacle.—Shape: Cone. Diameter at base: Approximately             2.2 mm. Depth: Approximately 4 mm. Color: 146C.         -   Disc florets.—Quantity per inflorescence: Approximately 161.             Shape: Tubular with five lobes each having an acute apex.             Margin: Entire. Length: Approximately 5 mm. Diameter at             apex: Approximately 1 mm. Diameter at base: Approximately             0.7 mm. Texture: Glandular. Color: Immature: Closest to             187B. Color: Mature: N34A. Gland color: Colorless and             transparent. Calyx: Shape: Tubular. Length: Approximately             2 mm. Diameter: Approximately 1 mm. Texture: Glabrous.             Color: Colorless, translucent.         -   Phyllaries.—Quantity per inflorescence: Approximately 16.             Arrangement: Imbricate, arranged in several rows. Shape:             Ovate. Apex: Acute. Base: Truncate. Margin: Entire. Length:             Approximately 4 mm. Width: Approximately 2 mm. Texture:             Glabrous, papery along edges. Color of upper surface:             Closest to 145C. Color of lower surface: Closest to 145D.         -   Peduncle.—Strength: Strong. Aspect: At an acute angle to the             stem. Length: Approximately 3.9 cm. Diameter: Approximately             0.7 mm. Texture: Glabrous. Color: 144A.         -   Reproductive organs.—Androecium: Present on disc florets             only. Stamens: 5, fused around style. Anther length: 1 mm.             Anther color: 22A. Amount of pollen: None observed.             Gynoecium: Present on ray and disc florets. There is one             pistil per floret. Pistil length: 4 mm. Stigma shape: Two             parted. Stigma length: 1 mm. Stigma color: 14A. Style             length: 2.5 mm. Style color: 144D. Ovary diameter: 0.5 mm.             Ovary color: 144C. -   Seed and fruit production: Neither seed nor fruit production has     been observed. -   Disease and pest resistance: Resistance to pathogens and pests     common to Argyranthemum has not been observed. 

1. A new and distinct cultivar of Argyranthemum plant named ‘OHMADSANT’, substantially as herein shown and described. 